LOUGHBOROUGH Student rugby player Amy Cokayne earned her first full England cap when she came on as a substitute against Italy in the Women’s Six Nations.

Cokayne is among a host of new caps that’s been introduced into the current World Cup champions.

Despite having been born in the UK, Cokayne moved to New Zealand at the age of 10 with her family, where she led a successful young rugby career making her mark in both 15s and sevens.

The Black Ferns took an interest but the call for England was stronger.

Her debut came last weekend when she stepped onto the pitch to replace Victoria Fleetwood in the 64th minute in front of a crowd of 3,000 at The Stoop, home of Harlequins rugby.

Though she was a replacement hooker, Cokayne is a versatile player having represented the U20s versus the Army Women’s 1XV on the following Tuesday at Aldershot RFC as replacement prop. Notably, Lichfield and Loughborough Women’s Student rugby teammate Lucy Nye also appeared in the U20s game. Nye is another England hopeful, having represented the country in sevens during the 2014 summer. Both Cokayne and Nye played for England U18s sevens.

Cokayne joins the legacy of Loughborough alumni to have worn the rose, including Sarah Hunter, Roz Crawley, Justine Lucas, and Nicky Ponsford.